WW 27th May 2026

 

Brenda is like a little cork. She was “Dying” after the hot walk in the woods yesterday but here she is again ready for more punishment!

It was a short walk in the woods but unfortunately we live in a valley so it was up past the Power Station, up past the Reservoir that supplies the water to the Power Station on along the canal that supplies the water from Tavistock to the Reservoir, over the road to the Canal Portal where a nice new information board told us all about it. People just got on and built amazing things in those days.

Then up again through the woods being serenaded by a very vocal thrush to the next nice new board that told us all about the incline railway.

Then a quick photo stop looking down to Gunnislake and St Anne’s Chapel, then at last - down, down back to number 10 and a very pleasant drink and chat in the garden as the pub is only open in the evenings at weekends.

Stella

TWW 26th May 2026

 

So, so hot. Hottest day of year so far.
Warnings galore, don't go out in the midday sun.
But, we can't leave a gap in our walking itinerary.    It's just not done !
So the route is shortened, changed to accommodate this killer heat, bit like evolution really.
Off down the usual track to the no name pudding stone with benchmark to the iconic old packhorse bridge of Hisley.
Following the right hand turn to Lower Hisley farm, apparently up for sale with 41 acres for £1,250,000.
Bargain if you have the money for modernisation!
It has quite a history.
Through the farm barns and upwards through Hisley woods past the dramatic Gradnor Rocks half hidden in the trees. T'was here we saw a tiny shrew, a first for us I think. 2inches long,  not a rodent but more closely related to moles and hedgehogs.
Well fancy that !
On, on to the delightful path leading to Pethybridge or locally known as Heavens Gate. Time for hydrating drinks as an enormous aircraft (Hercules says Charlie) roared overhead at treetop height. Damn frightening, shouldn't be allowed !!
We saw the biggest oil beetle ever seen 2inches long 3/4 inch wide. A real Big Daddy!
I was so excited as I took a photo that I didn't press the button properly so unfortunately no fab photo.
Raz watched another devouring a buttercup, fascinating !
Took the track down to the Clam Bridge, was it still there or destroyed by the storms.
It was still there a bit bashed and bruised  but still surviving, I do hope "they" can "mend" it.
Decision to follow the river was tricky but interesting . Lunch stop perched on a convenient fallen tree watching birds,  insects and very striking iridescent blue butterflies.
Moving on, back to the pudding stone and the long trek uphill back to the cars.
That nearly finished me off.
Never mind,  we did it !
Most people would have  stayed at home.

Brenda

WW 20th May 2026

 

 

Not too bad an evening at all to set out from the dam. Below the dam a solitary goose and what looked like a Muscovy Duck - could it be Jerry (Terry's name)?  Perhaps he has finally found a pal. By the muddy track to Sheepstor Dam and there was Jerry, on his own as usual, standing on one leg. Still, nice to see him. Into the woods to find the new trail. No problem as the ponies had bashed it down. But, no, back out again nearly where we started - hey ho. Along the top of the wall by the old road. Always nice to be by the reservoir. Quite full so a slight diversion needed. Out and over to the arboretum, all coming to life after the clearance. Should be a good year for foxgloves. To Middleworth and the bench for a nice cuppa. The track is much improved, perhaps for the trampers. Over the bridges and back onto the 'inner footpath'. Not only do we have to look out for Operation Leviathan but Deep Mud - scary place. Along, along by the dog walking areas with the birds loudly chirruping. And back to the cars. On to a very quiet Burrator Inn for a refreshing drink.

A very nice evening with not a drop of rain.

TWW 19th May 2026

 

A drizzly start and miserable forecast for the Lostwithiel to St Winnow walk.

A slow beginning,  with a lorry to creep round on to bridge, and then level crossing barriers coming down before we headed south and soon turning right on to a smaller track.

Building projects to be admired and a steep rocky lane with its mini ford and bridglet to slither down. A path off right chosen with splendid views of the grand Newham House and herds of sheep, cows and calves on our side of the valley.

Now came a stile into dark woodlands where all hell must have broken loose in January gales.

We went over/ under /around eight fallen giants not without some difficulty. Eventually we exited the nightmare assault course and through the boatyard to a coffee stop on the pontoon.

Next we went in to the ancient church of St Winnow Barton with its carved bench ends, "tricky" bells and 400 year-old stained glass windows.

On the road again we didn't get far, an amazing farm museum to tour, a farm stall and a closed-on-Tuesdays snack shack.

Time to speed up and again the level crossing barriers were down !

 A swift hike up through the town to a nice lunch at the Royal Oak in Duke Street. 

And we'd seen "Unseen Cornwall " on a surprisingly fine day  !!

Anne

WW 13th May 2026

 

Will it rain?

Will anyone turn up?
Will the pub be open?
So many questions!!
But in the words of our leader "It'll be fine!"
Walking up to North Hess, all very dry with mysterious piles of rocks everywhere! Views from the trig point are breathtaking even on a dull evening. More shades of beige than shades of grey.
Down towards Hollow Tor, a great tor, I think, usually provides shelter for sheep.
On to Yellowmead track where the old quarry buildings are gradually falling down.
Up and over Foggintor Quarry, peering over the edge to find all is well apart the ravens' nest on the rock face.  Several years it's been missing, such a shame.
Down the long packhorse track which usually has sheep, ponies and cattle. But today, none.
Is this what rewilding means?
Will be a sad sad day if that happens.
Back to the track, but the bubbling spring was no longer there either.
Walking faster, straight down to back door of the P of W, straight in and ordered our drinks.
Success at last!.
All's well that ends well!!

Brenda

TWW 12th May 2026

 

Just, so, so perfect.

You can never be totally sure, it seems to move about by a week or so each year. But this year - perfect; and loads and loads of people out to enjoy them. Both Holwell Lawn and Emsworthy absolutely full of bluebells. Can there ever have been a better year for bluebells? Just as well we only had two cars, as any more and we would have struggled to park. Down to Emsworthy with bluebells in every field as far as we could see. Round by the beautiful mire and, with a nice tea stop, up and out to the top road; lots of cars parked there. Down through Holwell Lawn - the bluebells are absolutely breathtaking. To the beautiful new clapper bridge and along; even the wet places were quite dry. And back to Emsworthy - fabulous. Back and on to the The New Old Inn with a very warm welcome and a fulfilling lunch.

A super morning on the moor.

WW 6th May 2026

 

Four Winds.

And no wind for a change. Across the stream to the Pump House then cutting round the block of enclosed land to a standing stone by the wall enclosing the prison land. Following this with memories of a past wet foggy night trying to find a way through awful tussock and a seemingly never ending barbed wire fence. But tonight was different, even the squelchy bits along the wall were dry. So on to Great Mis Tor to sit near the top for a cuppa, with no wind and beautiful views of the slightly misty surrounding moors. On down through the clitter to a stile into the Merrivale newtake, now much better grazed than in the past so easy going. Back out over another stile to find a lovely little path to take us back to the cars.

The Dartmoor Inn looked open but we opted for the Witty where we knew they still sold “beer”.

Mike

TWW 5th May 2026

 At the bus stop: “Did you get my message” said the lady in the dressing gown.  “I overslept, I’m not joining you”. (It could have been a sketch from Monty Python!)

The bus arrived, and we were whisked off to the old “Cherry Brook Hotel” to start our walk.  Across Muddilake, over Muddilake Brook and on to Prince Hall.  Skylarks larking, Cuckoos cuckooing and swallows swooping.  Could it be that spring has arrived?

Over the bridge and down the track past Moorlands farm,  then a detour to find the remains of the engine house of the West Dart Arial Ropeway  (aka The Brimpts to Princetown Aerial Ropeway) .  An ideal stop for a brew.  Suitably refreshed we pressed on to “Fairy Bridge” to find one and a half fairies in residence.  Somewhat drier here than it was when we visited back in December   Retracing our steps, we stopped to investigate John Bishop’s House.  Then, following the bridle ways parallel to the River Swincombe we arrived at Strane River, and a pleasant spot for lunch.  Past Whiteworks, South Hessary Tor and back to Princetown in time for afternoon tea .  Despite the weather forecast and the threatening dark clouds, not a single drop of rain all day 😊

 Phil